Q and A

Question

Does PEP delay seroconversion?

24 December 2021. Related: All topics, PEP/PEPSE.

Hi, I had an exposure in early October.

I took PEP (TDF + FTC + DTG) after 5 hours of the exposure. I did not accompany the doses with meals, I took them alone with water or some drink. Can this interfere or reduce its effectiveness?

Does PEP delay seroconversion in case of failure? At 5 weeks after finishing PEP swollen lymph glands in both armpit.

Answer

Answer: Josh Peasegood

Hi, how are you doing?

PEP does have the potential to delay seroconversion.

As PEP works similar to medication used to manage HIV, PEP if unsuccessful can delay seroconversion.

This is why testing a minimum of 4 weeks after PEP is required. Seroconversion can occur 1-3 weeks after the course ends. Only 80% of those who do seroconvert in failed PEP will experience classical symptoms e.g., fatigue, fever, headache etc.

Five weeks after finishing PEP would be later than expected if this was really HIV. Swollen lymph nodes can arise from a number of infections, not only HIV. Is this symptom being managed by a doctor?

The combination you have taken can be consumed with or without food. This would not have impacted how well it worked as PEP.

This links includes info that will answer other questions on PEP:
https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

Josh.

248 comments

  1. Simon Collins •

    This is a service about HIV treatment rather than risk, but the links here have info on seroconversion:
    https://i-base.info/qa/11844

  2. Anonymous k •

    I had pain in the tips of penis without any discharge after urine test doc said it was just infection and was treated also having white tongue for like 3weeks now no pain, when I show it to two doctors they said they don’t see anything, and just little cough and a burning sensation under my right feet.
    Can these be the sign of seroconversions
    I only have headache and sweating when am anxiety. no swollen lymph nodes, no fever

  3. Simon Collins •

    Hi David – thanks – all your Qs about PEP are answered at this link:
    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

  4. David •

    Hello this david
    I started pep 10 hours after exposure, 20 days into pep i developed swollen breast and i still have them for over a month and 26 days after pep i developed a rash on my both sides and i coughed 2 times i dont feel tired + no flu my question is can this be hiv ? And can i test at 27 days or should i wait until day 30? Can these symptoms be caused by pep ?

  5. Simon Collins •

    Hi Jol, no.

  6. Jol •

    Can only swollen lymph nodes be a sign of serocnversion??

  7. Simon Collins •

    Hi AP

    Please see this link for n on PEP:

    https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/pep-faq

    Any risk would be very low.

  8. AP •

    I had unprotected sex.. then in the next hour I took the remaining one last pill of pep in my drug box.. then before I could get another box of pep (tenfovir disproxyl fumarate and lamivudine) was until 60 hours later.. so tell me what are my risk of having hiv? Cuz currently my inner upper thigh aches badly, and I have two lumps on both sides of my neck that’s not visible but soft and moves when I press on it..

  9. Josh Peasegood •

    Hi Victor, please see here for more information about transmission: https://i-base.info/guides/testing

  10. Victor •

    Hi, I am a male and had protected sex with a lady of unknown status. However, after sex, I pulled the condom with my hands and mistakenly use the hand to touch my penis. Prior to that time of the sex, I have masturbated and most likely have sores on my penis because of the friction.
    Am I at risk?
    Right now, I have night sweets, headache and a mild sore throat.